New Beginnings

Hela stretched her arms wide across the hardwood floor of their enormous new house. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, making everything sparkle.

"Mila, can you believe we actually did it?" she called out, her voice echoing in the empty living room.

Her best friend emerged from the kitchen carrying three grocery bags in each arm. "Twenty-four years old and homeowners in New York City! My mom said we were crazy."

"Your mom says everyone's crazy." Hela jumped up and grabbed two bags. "What did you buy?"

"Everything! Pizza, ice cream, cookies, chips, Chinese takeout, Indian food, burgers, fries, chocolate cake..." Mila's eyes lit up. "We're celebrating properly tonight!"

They spread the feast across their new dining table. Box after box, container after container. The table groaned under the weight.

"This looks like food for twenty people," Hela laughed.

"Good thing we're really hungry then." Mila opened the first pizza box. "To our new adventure!"

They ate and laughed until their eyelids grew heavy, finally collapsing on the couch together.

Morning Surprises

Hela's eyes fluttered open to sunlight streaming through the windows. Her neck felt stiff from sleeping on the couch all night.

"Mila, wake up," she mumbled, stretching her arms. "We should probably clean up that mess."

Mila groaned and sat up slowly. "My back is killing me. Why did we think the couch was a good idea?"

Hela looked down to adjust her dress and froze. Where her normally flat stomach should be, a massive round belly pushed against the fabric. She looked like she was about to give birth to triplets.

"Mila!" she shrieked. "Look at yourself!"

Mila glanced down and gasped. Her belly was identical - enormous and perfectly round. "What happened to us?"

They stumbled to the bathroom mirror. Both girls stared at their impossible bellies in horror.

"Hospital. Now," Mila said, grabbing her keys.

The emergency room was packed, but their condition got them seen immediately. Dr. Rodriguez, a smart woman with short gray hair, ran an ultrasound over Hela's belly.

"Well," she said, frowning at the screen. "You simply overate. Severely overate."